Washington Just Passed Rent Control — and It’s a Disaster Waiting to Happen

After more than 20 years in property management — and as someone who owns rental properties right here in Washington — I’m stunned.

This week, Washington passed statewide rent control.

And while it’s being sold as “pro-tenant” and “affordable housing reform,” the truth is... It’s going to backfire — badly.

When the Government Tries to Fix Housing with Bad Policy, We All Lose

On paper, capping rent increases may sound like great idea to some. But in the real world, here’s what happens (and will happen in Washington):

• Small landlords sell. Mom-and-pop owners — the ones who care most about their properties and residents — will cash out and move their investments to more landlord-friendly states.
• Housing supply shrinks. Every time a property leaves the rental market, that’s one less home available to tenants.
• Prices rise elsewhere. When fewer homes are available, prices don't go down. They surge — especially for tenants moving into new rentals.
• Maintenance suffers. When rent increases are artificially capped but costs (insurance, taxes, repairs) skyrocket, something has to give. And often, it’s the quality of the housing.

Washington’s Housing Market Was Already on Thin Ice

Let’s be honest: Our median home price is already among the highest in the country. Sitting at $649,999 in March 2025, with only 20% of our state citizens being able to afford that price point.

Buying a home was already out of reach for many. Now, with rent control pushing small investors out of the market, it’s only going to get worse.

This isn’t speculation — it’s exactly what happened in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Portland. And it’s about to happen here, too.

What This Means for Property Management Business Owners

For property management business owners, rent control laws like this are more than just policy shifts — they’re a wake-up call.

Markets are changing. Tenant expectations are shifting. Regulations are tightening.

Building smarter systems, strengthening operations, and future-proofing your business isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential if you want to thrive in the next era of property management.

If you're a property management business owner ready to scale smarter and stay ahead of the curve, subscribe to my newsletter here Property Management Strategist Newsletter and check out my YouTube channel here Lessons from the Living Room by Stacey Salyer

I share weekly strategies on scaling sustainably, leading with clarity, and navigating a rapidly changing industry.

We Need Real Solutions — Not Political Theater

If Washington truly wanted to solve the housing crisis, they would:

• Incentivize new housing construction (especially middle-income housing)
• Reduce regulatory hurdles for responsible landlords, especially since the past 5 years wrecked the process for landlords
• Support programs that actually help tenants and housing providers succeed

Punishing landlords isn’t the answer. Fixing supply and supporting sustainable growth is.

Let’s Talk About It

I'm curious — whether you're a housing provider, a tenant, or somewhere in between: What do you think this means for the future of Washington's rental market?

Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’m ready for the conversation.